nuclear-news

SMRs and microreactors in the military

Aleksander Olech, 15 August 2026

 Small modular reactors are not a technology that will solve every problem
faced by an army during wartime. They will not replace fuel, the deployment
of forces or existing sources of energy. On the other hand, they could
become an important element in preparing the state for crisis and war.

Modern armed forces need not only soldiers, tanks and artificial
intelligence, but also a stable power supply for the systems on which
military operations depend. It is from this perspective that the military
importance of SMRs and microreactors should be developed.

Modern warfare is
not limited to strikes against selected military units. Increasingly, it
begins with an attempt to paralyse the state by depriving it of energy,
transport capabilities, communications and the ability to exercise command
rapidly. Russia has demonstrated this in its operations against Ukraine.
Attacks against energy infrastructure are not an addition to a military
operation, but part of the way in which war is conducted.

Hybrid activities
may also serve as a prelude to open conflict, while a strike against the
state’s support infrastructure may precede direct action on the
battlefield.

 Defence24 15th Aug 2026, https://defence24.com/armed-forces/smrs-and-microreactors-in-the-military

August 23, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, weapons and war